Unit 9: Earth Cycles--Cyclical Movements of the Sun, Earth, & Moon
Students will model how the tilt of the Earth causes day and night, and the Earth’s revolution causes changes in seasons. Students demonstrate and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle, and relate the position of the Moon and Sun to their effect on ocean tides (spring & neap tides). Students develop the understanding that some cycles, such as day and night, phases of the Moon, seasons, solar, and lunar eclipses are evident only by viewing them from Earth. Students should know that the Moon's orbit around the Earth once in about 28 days changes what part of the Moon is lighted by the Sun and how much of that part can be seen from the earth- the phases of the Moon.
Unit 10-11: Characteristics of the Universe-Including Universe Theories, Light Years, Galaxies, & Stars (Sun)
Students will being by researching the orgin of the universe (Big Bang Theory). They will learn that stars and galaxies are part of the universe. Students will learn that light years are used to measure distances and sizes in the universe. This is a common misconception, becasue they associate light years with time, instead of distances, which is correct. Along with light years, students will use different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum to gain information about distances and properties of comonents in the universe.
Students will investigate the different components of the universe. They should know that the universe contains many billions of galaxies, and each galaxy contains millions of stars. They will describe the types of galaxies found in the universe, based on their shape. Students will use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for star classification. They will recognize that the Sun is a medium-sized yellow star near the edge of a disc-shaped galaxy (Milky Way) of stars.
Unit 12: Interdependence Among Living Systems
Students will investigate the relationships in aquatic and terrestrial systems. They will describe how biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors (such as light, water, range of temperatures, and soil composition) affect organisms and populations in an ecosystem. They will also explore an organism's response to short and long-term environmental changes, including changes due to human activities (such as runoff, artificial reefs, and use of resources). Students will describe producer/consumer, predator/prey, and parasite/host relationships as they occur in food webs within marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems.